TY - JOUR
T1 - Prevalence and applications of 3-dimensional printers in dental practice
T2 - An American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel survey
AU - Council on Scientific Affairs
AU - Revilla-León, Marta
AU - Frazier, Kevin
AU - Costa, Juliana da
AU - Haraszthy, Violet
AU - Ioannidou, Effie
AU - MacDonnell, William
AU - Park, Jacob
AU - Tenuta, Livia M.A.
AU - Eldridge, Laura
AU - Vinh, Rashad
AU - Kumar, Purnima
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Dental Association
PY - 2023/4
Y1 - 2023/4
N2 - Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology use in dental practice was investigated. Methods: A survey examining prevalence, applications, and user experience of 3D printing in dentistry was developed. The Qualtrics survey was sent to American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel members on November 14, 2022, and remained open for 2 weeks. Nonresponders received a reminder after 1 week. Data were analyzed descriptively in SAS Version 9.4. Results: Among 277 respondents (27% response rate), 17% currently use a 3D printer in practice; 67% of those have been using it for less than 2 years. The most common uses for 3D printer were to complement or enhance other digital technologies (63%), control workflows (50%), improve efficiency (50%), use existing digital skills or procedures (48%), and reduce cost or manufacturing time (43%). The most common advantages were improved efficiency (68%) and reduced cost (44%). Forty-eight percent used a 3D printer for 25% of their cases per month for diagnostic models (62%), splints and occlusal devices (50%), and surgical guides (48%). Practice changes included dental laboratory collaborations (51%) and staff members additions and training (61%). The most common problems involved software (41%) and printing failure (39%). Top reasons among the 83% without printers were laboratory dependence (44%), high financial investment (39%), and lack of perceived benefit (34%). Among nonusers, 21% were considering investing in one in 2023, and 35% were considering obtaining training. Conclusions: 3D printer use in dental practice is low, although early-stage adopters report improved efficiency and reduced application costs. Practical Implications: As 3D printing technology evolves, interest in learning about and adopting the technology may increase.
AB - Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology use in dental practice was investigated. Methods: A survey examining prevalence, applications, and user experience of 3D printing in dentistry was developed. The Qualtrics survey was sent to American Dental Association Clinical Evaluators Panel members on November 14, 2022, and remained open for 2 weeks. Nonresponders received a reminder after 1 week. Data were analyzed descriptively in SAS Version 9.4. Results: Among 277 respondents (27% response rate), 17% currently use a 3D printer in practice; 67% of those have been using it for less than 2 years. The most common uses for 3D printer were to complement or enhance other digital technologies (63%), control workflows (50%), improve efficiency (50%), use existing digital skills or procedures (48%), and reduce cost or manufacturing time (43%). The most common advantages were improved efficiency (68%) and reduced cost (44%). Forty-eight percent used a 3D printer for 25% of their cases per month for diagnostic models (62%), splints and occlusal devices (50%), and surgical guides (48%). Practice changes included dental laboratory collaborations (51%) and staff members additions and training (61%). The most common problems involved software (41%) and printing failure (39%). Top reasons among the 83% without printers were laboratory dependence (44%), high financial investment (39%), and lack of perceived benefit (34%). Among nonusers, 21% were considering investing in one in 2023, and 35% were considering obtaining training. Conclusions: 3D printer use in dental practice is low, although early-stage adopters report improved efficiency and reduced application costs. Practical Implications: As 3D printing technology evolves, interest in learning about and adopting the technology may increase.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.adaj.2023.02.004
DO - 10.1016/j.adaj.2023.02.004
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85150011208
SN - 0002-8177
VL - 154
SP - 355-356.e2
JO - Journal of the American Dental Association
JF - Journal of the American Dental Association
IS - 4
ER -